Storm water runoff can cause huge problems for the environment. It often carries pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste into drinking sources and nearby ecosystems. However, through a process of green infrastructure, storm water can be returned to the ground to safely provide for plants and animals. This can be done through rain gardens that retain storm water runoff from roofs, parking lots and driveways. This water can then be treated and safely returned to the environment.​ The Anacostia Waterfront Trust, a non-profit organization that supports the creation of waterfront along the Anacostia River, was able to build one of these rain gardens through its RainPay program at the Progressive National Baptist Church in Washington D.C.. According to RainPay’s SRC-Generating Rain Garden Project case study in a 1.7-inch storm, the rain garden retained over 11,000 gallons of stormwater runoff from the church. If not retained, this water would flow directly into Watts Branch River untreated.If you would like to read the full case study on the rain garden at the Progressive National Church you can visit that here at DOEE SRC Case Study.If you wish to learn more about the work of The Anacostia Waterfront Trust visit their website at The Anacostia Waterfront Trust ​

The day began with prayers and inspirational talks for guidance and direction, to reflect God’s will and voice. These voices stand firm to the premise that diversity and inclusion are central to environmental integrity, preservation, and justice, with the unique responsibility of humans in caring all God’s creation.

Leaders in attendance were: Rev. Richard Silversmith, a Navajo Pastor of the Indian Christian Center in Denver; Ms. Loni Romo and Jackie Davis-Cawelti, Pyramid Lake Paiute tribal members and active lay leaders at St. Mary of the Lake Episcopal Church, Rev. Judy Wellington an Akilmel O’odham and Dakota Sioux Minister for Native American Ministries in the Presbytery of the Southwest, and Mark Charles, a Navajo activist, speaker, and writer, and Dee Ann Manatowa, daughter of the late chief of the Sac and Fox Nation as well as Environmental Justice Fellow for Creation Justice Ministries.

Loni Romo described her trip with her mother Jackie Davis-Cawelti: "Over the past weekend my mom and I were invited to D.C. to advocate for the Bears Ears Monument. We went as Indigenous Christian peoples. It was a whirlwind trip but was incredible. It was my first trip, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. We had meetings set up with the acting Director of Bureau of Land Management, Assistant Director for National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships and a lady from the Secretary's office. We moved on to the Department of Interior Office of External and Intergovernmental Relations. We stopped in at our State of Nevada Senator's offices and met with Cortez-Masto's staff. Any spare time we spent it sight-seeing: museums, monuments and even joined a protest. I am grateful for the opportunity, meeting new people to learn from and especially to have our voices heard."

Rev. Judy Wellington said of the experience, "I am thankful to Creation Justice Ministries who made it possible for a group of us from different native nations to come to DC to advocate for keeping Bears Ears Monument. Together with the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition of Utah, we join our voices with sisters and brothers who care about preservation of the land."

Pastor Richard Silversmith said upon his return home, "I am hopeful that meeting with the decision-makers in person had a more immediate impact and leaves a longer-lasting impression than a letter. I think collectively we can help raises a shared witness in the public arena echoing Christ's call for just relationships among all of Creation."

Mark Charles reflected, "It was a great opportunity to challenge the paradigm of our government leaders, representatives and officials by speaking to them, not as oppressed minorities or even as concerned constituents, but rather as the indigenous hosts of this land. I loved it. Creator Ahé'hee."

Faith Leaders Cheer New National Monuments Focused on African American Heritage As Well as Presidential Memorandum on Diversity and Inclusion for U.S. Public Lands and WatersThe Public Lands System Preserves Our Collective Natural, Cultural, and Spiritual Heritage

Today, President Obama used his executive authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate three new national monuments: Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston, Alabama, the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Reconstruction Era National Monument in South Carolina. He also released a Presidential Memorandum on diversity and inclusion in the U.S. public lands system.

The Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston honors Civil Rights Activists who boarded buses there, and were later violently attacked for challenging segregation.

The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument honors Birmingham for being the epicenter of the American Civil Rights Movement in 1963. The Birmingham monument includes the A.G. Gaston Motel, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the 4th Avenue Business District, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and the Colored Masonic Temple.

Pastor of 16th Street Baptist Church is the site Pastor of 16th Street Baptist Church Rev. Arthur Price said of the designation: “This national monument will fortify Birmingham’s place in American history and will speak volumes to the place of African Americans in history.”

The Reconstruction Era National Monument in South Carolina is at the site of the Penn Center, which was one of the country's first schools for freed slaves and served as a retreat for Baptist minister and Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Presidential Memorandum is directed toward federal agencies, instructing them to value diversity and inclusion in their work. The Memorandum includes guidance for broad stakeholder engagement by agencies before they make decisions, as well as to prioritize conservation of places and stories important to under-represented communities.

Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha Ready Alonso said of the new monument designations and Presidential Memorandum: “The example set by this Administration and the best practices laid out in the Presidential Memorandum have set the bar high for future administrations. It is important to us that the new Trump Administration upholds these monument designations and prioritizes engaging diverse stakeholders. I am grateful to Senators Booker and Bennet, as well as Representatives Grijalva, Chu, Gallego, and Butterfield for championing this Memorandum.”

RELIGIOUS LEADERS CELEBRATE NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MONUMENTS“Our Church, in the South, is seen as an iconic symbol of freedom and justice, just like the Liberty Bell is seen as a freedom symbol in Philadelphia. Given the tragedies that took place here, people come here to reflect on the sacrifice and service of those who put their lives on the line. 16th Street stands as a symbol to those who galvanized a generation, motivated a movement, and turned the bitter days of Birmingham in better days. The designation has done a tremendous tribute to the city of Birmingham, and a tribute to the people who worked for Civil Rights in the ‘60s. Birmingham has a story to tell about the fight in Civil Rights. This national monument will fortify Birmingham’s place in American history and will speak volumes to the place of African Americans in history.”Rev. Arthur PricePastor, 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama

“I am grateful President Obama is recognizing and seeking to honor the honor the saints and martyrs of the Civil Rights movement by establishing these new National Monuments in Alabama. Our continuing effort to seek justice and equality for all demands that we remember the legacy of those upon whose shoulders we stand. Not only are they worthy of our deepest gratitude, but also our strongest commitment to the goal of living as 'one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.'”Rev. John MobleyRegional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama and Northwest Florida

“These newly declared national monuments will enter the stories of resilience, courage, and faith into our country’s collective memory for generations to come. President Obama has ensured our African American heritage, too, is officially recognized as part of our national identity.”Rev. Thomas BowenEarl L. Harrison Minister of Social Justice, Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington DC & Progressive National Baptist Convention

Today, using the authority of the Antiquities Act, President Obama declared a new Bears Ears National Monument. The new monument’s signature landscape feature has long been known as the “Bears Ears” because of two buttes that rise from the ground and look like a set of ears on a bear’s head.

Salt Lake City resident Rev. Dr. Genny Rowley of the Alliance ofBaptists said, “Christians are called to love of neighbor as a core expression of faith. The creation of Bears Ears National Monument supports neighbor love widely, allowing our tribal brothers and sisters sacred space to live their faith, supports the work of justice for Native communities that have been systematically denied this in our society. I celebrate the protection of God's creation and Native culture represented by this monument."

Many sites within the new Bears Ears National Monument are considered sacred by the tribes. The land includes more than 100,000 antiquities such as petroglyphs, ancient cliff dwellings, and grave sites. This monument designation will ensure that traditional tribal uses such as gathering of firewood, pinon, and plants will be protected. Hunting, grazing, and recreational activities will also continue. Protecting these sacred sites, traditional uses, and antiquities is a high priority for the tribal leadership. The area is also home to significant Mormon history, including sections of the famous Hole in the Rock Trail.

The designation of Bears Ears National Monument should lead to greater protection of the area’s antiquities. In 2016 alone, multiple archaeology sites have been irreversibly damaged by looting and vandalism. In July 2016, top U.S. religious leaders joined together in a letter supporting the tribes’ call for a monument, declaring with urgency that “the desecration of sacred places must stop.”

Duane Chili Yazzie, President of the Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation and traditional community leader who attends the Four Corners Community Church said, “We support President Obama’s designation of the Bear's Ears region as a national monument under the Antiquities Act of 1906. As Indigenous Peoples, our intrinsic relationship and valuing of the natural state of the earth remains unbroken. Our people, particularly our traditional elders and families continue to hold great cultural and religious significance with nature and the protection of the Bear's Ears area will preserve the area in its natural state which is our strong preference.”

Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha ReadyAlonso said, “This is a game-changer for the leadership role of tribes in public lands stewardship. We are profoundly grateful to the Obama Administration for making history with this new national monument.”

“We support President Obama’s designation of the Bear's Ears region as a national monument under the Antiquities Act of 1906. As Indigenous Peoples, our intrinsic relationship and valuing of the natural state of the earth remains unbroken. Our people, particularly our traditional elders and families continue to hold great cultural and religious significance with nature and the protection of the Bear's Ears area will preserve the area in its natural state which is our strong preference.” Duane Chili Yazzie, President of the Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation and traditional community leader, attends the Four Corners Community Church Shiprock, New Mexico

“As Christians we believe all people are made in the image of God, with inherent dignity and worth. As Lutherans, by our baptism, it is our commitment to respond to the unending call of peace and justice work. A Bears Ears National Monument is a step towards justice for our communities that have suffered dehumanization for centuries. It is with the gift of tribal leadership that may contribute to ongoing healing and preservation of culture.” Prairie Rose Seminole, Program Director for American Indian and Alaska Native Ministries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Chicago, Illinois

"May we give thanks for this monument, and forever respect the beautiful land and people that it protects." Jared Meek, President, Brigham Young University Earth Stewardship Provo, Utah

“We must protect our God-given treasures on earth and recognize the treasures of Native Americans. Both are consistent with a number of resolutions adopted by conventions of the Episcopal Church. Certainly protecting the Bears Ears… is a way to ensure that we do not exploit these precious lands that have been so culturally important to Native Americans for centuries, as well as treasures for us for centuries to come.” Bishop Scott Hayashi, Episcopal Diocese of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah

“Our national parks and monuments are an extraordinarily powerful tool for the people of the United States to tell our collective story. It is critical to ensure that the story includes historic and current contributions and wisdom of Native people. Rooted in, and in continuity with, our Lutheran faith and ministry, it is with great hope and joy that we welcome President Obama’s designation of the Bears Ears National Monument. Bishop Jim Gonia, Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Denver, Colorado

“The new National Monument is a victory for tribal leadership in preserving our heritage. How can you rebuild history, culture and tradition, when it is gone? By not taking care of this site, we lose our way of live and will only see it in pictures. Is that what we want to leave to the next generation, just pictures?” Ms. Cynthia Ann Kent (Southern Ute), Chair of the Native American International Caucus of the United Methodist Church

“All creation that is created by the Creator is sacred and we celebrate in the fact that this is a historic event, because five tribes came together to protect Bears Ears and it is now being declared a national monument." Rev. Tweedy Sombrero Navarrete, Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church Yuma, Arizona

“MESA (Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance) offers its deepest gratitude to President Obama for taking the necessary steps to protect this spectacular & culturally-rich area of our state called the ‘Bears Ears.’ It is exactly this kind of land that the historic Antiquities Act is designed to protect with 'National Monument' status. We are also very grateful to the folks at the Dept. of Interior who set an impressive, historic precedent in their amazing efforts to gather feedback from all local groups connected to this land, including the Inter-Tribal Coalition.” Ty Markham, Chair, Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance Torrey, Utah

“The spiritual voice of the native land speaks through the natural landscape. Bears Ears National Monument allows for the speaking of that voice through the native tongue of the land. This voice is priceless for it is important to allow those who come after us to know and honor the sacred landscape as the elders and the ancients had before them.” Dr. Bill Blue Eagle McCutchen, Co-Moderator, Landscape Mending Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Tulsa, Oklahoma

“Our native peoples have such an intimate connection to land and to all that lives upon it. Protecting these sacred sites is just the thing to do. I thank President Obama for this monument, which honors the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition’s collective effort to establish in perpetuity a place to share their culture, heritage, and stewardship wisdom with the United States.” Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ Cleveland, Ohio

“This is a game-changer for the leadership role of tribes in public lands stewardship. We are profoundly grateful to the Obama Administration for making history with this new national monument.” Shantha Ready Alonso, Executive Director, Creation Justice Ministries Washington, DC